THIS WINTER, NHS hospitals are piloting a groundbreaking 15-minute blood test designed to identify serious infections in children and young people within minutes rather than hours. The test can quickly determine whether an infection is viral or bacterial, allowing clinicians to detect life-threatening conditions such as sepsis or meningitis much faster.
The study, funded by NHS England, is currently underway at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, St Mary’s Hospital in London, and the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle, UK. The project aims to evaluate whether this innovative diagnostic tool can improve emergency care and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.
15-Minute Blood Test Could Transform Paediatric Emergency Care
Traditionally, identifying the cause of a child’s fever requires lab analysis that can take several hours. During that time, clinicians often prescribe precautionary antibiotics or monitor patients closely while awaiting results. The new 15-minute blood test streamlines this process by delivering results almost immediately, enabling faster treatment decisions and reducing both hospital strain and antibiotic overuse.
Doctors involved in the trial report early success stories, including cases where rapid diagnosis allowed immediate treatment for meningococcal meningitis and sepsis, conditions where every minute counts.
Clinical and Policy Leaders Support Innovation
Simon Kenny, NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Children and Young People, emphasised that fast diagnosis can be life-saving, allowing focused treatment and freeing up resources during the NHS’s busiest winter months.
Ashley Dalton, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, echoed this sentiment, calling the trial “transformative” for clinicians and parents alike. The study uses the MeMed BV test, led by the University of Liverpool and Health Innovation North West Coast, supported by the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Healthcare programme.
Enitan Carrol, who leads the study, highlighted that the test can help clinicians distinguish between a mild viral cold and a severe bacterial infection, ensuring the right care while tackling antibiotic resistance.
Frontline clinicians say the new technology could reshape emergency care for children. The trial will run until March 2026, with results expected to inform potential rollout across NHS hospitals. If successful, this 15-minute blood test could become a cornerstone of emergency paediatric diagnostics, helping clinicians act faster, treat smarter, and save more young lives.
Reference
NHS England. NHS hospitals trialling 15-minute blood test for life-threatening conditions in children. 2025. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/2025/10/nhs-hospitals-trialling-15-minute-blood-test-for-life-threatening-conditions-in-children/. Last accessed: 31 October 2025.
